Traction-wheel.



Patented Oct. 16, I900.

Nrrnn ATENT Cl rion.

GEORGE F. OONNER, OF PORT HURON, MICHIGAN.

TRACTION-WHEEL,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 659,650, dated October16, 1900. Application filedMai-oh 1,1900. Serial No. 6,968. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. OONNER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Port Huron, in the county of St. Clair and State ofMichigan, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in TractionWVheels, of which the following is a specificationj This inventionrelates to an improvement in traction-wheels; and it is embodied in theconstruction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, and definedin the claims.

The invention relates more particularly to the gripping-surface of theperiphery of the wheel, and is designed to form and provide a surfacewhich will take a positive hold on the ground and increase largely thetraction,while at the same time avoiding the objection of filling in andclogging between the projecting portions of the periphery.

I have shown in the accompanying drawings an embodiment of theinvention, but desire it understood that the form illustrated issusceptible of slight modifications and changes without departing fromthe nature and principle of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a wheelembodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a face view of the periphery. Fig. 3is a detail enlarged edge View, and Figs. 4., 5, and 6 are views ofmodifications.

In the drawings, A represents a hub, and B the suspension-spokes, of awellknown type.

My invention relates wholly to the particular construction of the rim,which is formed, conveniently, of cast plates or parts or integralpieces, as occasion may require. The outer face of the rim is formedwith a series of forwardly-extending triangular ribs 0, the

apex of which is in the central plane of the.

rim. These ribs are squared on their outer faces, while the wheelimmediately below and in front is curved slightly forward and downward,from which point the face of the wheel is curved at a greater radius orinclined for- Ward and terminates in the upper edge of the adjacentflange, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, thereby forming what may be termed agripping-surface or pocket, having substantially a right-angle face witha differentially-curved base. The contour of the face of the wheelbetween the flanges is the same transversely across, thus formingobliquelyarranged channels or pockets between the flanges. The underface of the wheel is conveniently shaped the reverse of the upper face,although it is evident that such is immaterial except where lightness isdesired.

In operation, the wheel traveling in the direction of the arrow shown inFig. 1, the annular gripping-flanges take into the surface over whichthe wheel is traveling, and owing to the abrupt and peculiar curvatureof the wheel-wall immediately in front a positive and extendedgripping-surface is formed, and as the wheel progresses, being largelyat that point first, it will have a tendency to crowd and edge the dirtoutwardly and transversely and backward over the graduallysloping facesuntil it is discharged from the wheel. This has been found in practiceto be practi cally a non-clogging periphery for a tractionwheel While atthe same time it provides a large and positive penetrating area orsurface of the flange or projecting portion. The particularcross-section of the flanges with the curvature of the periphery betweenI believe to be the features which render the wheel practicallynon-clogging.

In Figs. 4 and 5 a form having right-angle ribs is shown. In this formthe curved intermediate surface is regular.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a construction wherein the ribs are oblique fromend to end.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a traction-Wheel,the combination with the hub and supportingmember or spokes, of a rim having its outer face formed with a series offorwardly-inclined triangular ribs the apex of which is locatedcentrally of the rim, and inwardly-curved faces between the ribs thecurvature of which is increased from the rear faces of the ribs to thefront faces of the companion rib, substantially as described.

2. In a traction-wheel,the combination with the hub and supportingmember or spokes, of a rim having its outer face formed with a series ofribs, and inwardly-curved faces between the ribs the curvature of whichis increased from the rear faces of the ribs to the front faces of thecompanion rib, substantially as described.

the outer periphery of said wheel, and-havingthe iunersideof said rimshaped with curv- 3. In atraetion-wheel,the combination with the hub andsupporting member orspokes, of a rim having its outer face formed with asemg surfaces parallel to the configurations of ries of ribs, andinwardly-curved faces be- I the curved faces between the ribs on theouter tween said ribs, coneaved with reference to surface of said rim.the outer periphery of said wheel. In testimony whereof I have afl'ixedmy 4. lnatraetion-wheehthe combination with signature in presence of twowitnesses. the hub and supporting member or spokes, of GEORGE F. CONNER.

a rim having its outer face formed with a se- Witnesses: ries of ribs,and inwardly-curved faces be- S. A. WOOD, tween said ribs, coneaved withreference to H. B. I'IOYT.

